Stephen Connell, Untitled (insomnia) (2006). Courtesy Angel Row

Nottingham’s acclaimed contemporary arts venue, Angel Row, is holding three consecutive exhibitions to celebrate the work of 27 artists, all based in the East Midlands.

Visually there is nothing to tie the contributions together. It’s a proud demonstration of the diversity of work being produced in the area - the artists may be local but they’re certainly not ‘yokel’.

Expect huge variety, from the figurative to the highly conceptual. A whole spectrum of materials, techniques and ideas are employed, including video installations, sculpture, painting, collage and embroidery.

The first show, Terra Incognita, runs until February 24 2007 and was collated by Indra Khanna. The title refers to unexplored or secret lands and the works are intended to inhabit a ‘no man’s land’, detached from history, culture or location.

The title only tenuously links the pieces together - there isn’t an overriding mood among the works and at times the selection may feel almost random. But this should not undermine the impact of the individual pieces as the viewer is detached from familiar orientations and transported into strange new worlds.

Keith Morris, Beasts (2006). Courtesy Angel Row

There are eight artists exploring a variety of themes, including pop-culture, insomnia, folk traditions, myths and legends.

The photography of Stephen Connell is striking and atmospheric. His warm and beautifully lit photographs give the topic, insomnia, a pleasant, womb-like comfort - definitely worth staying awake for.

Also using photography is Keith Morris. Beasts is a swampy, murky image where plastic creatures float rootless, neither natural nor synthetic in their surroundings.

Anita R Mudaliar has created a range of spooky video installations which pepper the space, cropping up at surprising moments and throwing the viewer off kilter.

This eclectic mix of art is a great opener, promising to lead the way for an engaging trio of exhibitions.

Mik Godley, Dead Soldier (2006). Courtesy Angel Row

The second exhibition, Out of Place, is running from the March 3 to 31. Curated by Mary Doyle, it will contain site-specific works by Tomas Chaffe, Sheila Ravnkilde and Niki Russell.

The idea is to shake up the way we move around a gallery space and create pieces that perfectly describe their location, making the onlooker acutely aware of their surroundings.

Finally, Parade 3 is titled, Stuff Happens, and runs between April 7 and May 12. Curated by Leo Fitzmaurice to prove that sculpture doesn’t have to be static, solid or enduring it will feature pieces that are in-motion, flimsy, or ephemeral with reconfigurations of ready-made 'stuff' that will bring new life to weary objects.